Montana, Yellowstone, &
the Grand Tetons
May 30 - June 11, 2009

2007 Trip Report>      2007 Species List (pdf)>

The land in and around Yellowstone National Park is filled with wildlife. From majestic mountain ranges to pristine valleys, the wonders of this region are endless – 300 active geysers, crystal blue lakes, cascading waterfalls, and the largest concentration of free-roaming wildlife in the lower 48 states. Grizzlies, wolves, elk, bison, antelope, moose, and 318 species of birds make this area home. In spring, nature puts on a vivid display as the environment comes back to life after the long winter. The air is filled with bird song. Elk, bison, and deer birth and raise calves in the valleys, and large predators hunt and raise young. This tour explores a stunning region of the American west - the Greater Yellowstone area - with opportunities to experience Montana’s expansive prairies and the Grand Tetons.

Join us for a fantastic wildlife adventure in America's premier wildlife hotspot! !
           2006 Photos>>         2007 Trip Report>        2007 Species List (pdf)>

For more information, contact Gina Nichol at gina@sunrisebirding.com

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ITINERARY
Day 1 Arrival – Jackson, Wyoming
Watch for Sage Grouse as your flight lands in beautiful Jackson, Wyoming with the spectacular Grand Tetons as the backdrop. After collecting luggage, we’ll transfer to Jackson for the evening. If time and daylight permits, we’ll bird some natural areas and ponds along the way and get a first look at the vast landscape of the Greater Yellowstone area. Night in Jackson.

Day 2: Jackson Area, National Elk Refuge,
Grand Teton National Park
Today, we’ll explore the area about Jackson. We’ll visit the National Elk Refuge, home to 5,000 elk during the winter season. In the spring, the Refuge wetlands are used by thousands of migrant and breeding waterfowl including Trumpeter Swan, Long-billed Curlew, and Sandhill Crane. We’ll keep watch for such open-country birds as Prairie Falcon and Mountain Bluebird. We’ll also explore Grand Teton National Park, one of the top five US National Parks for bird watching. This magnificent park encompasses a range of habitats from alpine meadows to sagebrush flats, to lodge pole pine forests to mountain streams. These varied habitats are home to a variety of species including Olive-sided and Cordilleran Flycatcher, Green-tailed Towhee, Red-naped Sapsucker, Williamson's Sapsucker, MacGillivray's Warbler, Western Tanager, Lincoln's, Brewer’s and Savannah Sparrows, Tree and Violet-green Swallows, American White Pelican, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Goshawk, Long-eared Owl, and the elusive Great Gray Owl. Night in Jackson.

Days 3 & 4: Central Yellowstone
This morning we depart Jackson and head toward Yellowstone National Park. We’ll explore some sites in the northern Tetons along the way and enter Yellowstone at the south entrance. Once inside the Park, it is only a matter of time until we experience a “Bison Jam” and have to navigate around herds of Bison along the road. We will stop at overlooks along the way to see the thundering waters of the Yellowstone River and its Upper and Lower Falls. We will watch for Coyote, Northern Harrier, Elk and hopefully see the splendid but elusive Harlequin Duck in the fast-moving waters of LeHardy Rapids.
We will drive along the shore of Yellowstone Lake where we will keep a watchful eye for Western Grebe, Greater Scaup, Double-crested Cormorant, Bufflehead, and Eared Grebe. We will make several stops on Yellowstone Lake, perhaps the most productive birding location in the park, to look for White Pelican, Barrow's and Common Goldeneye, Western and Clark’s Grebes, Greater Scaup, Bald Eagle, and Osprey. We’ll check several ponds in the area including one with deep enough water to attract Canvasback and other diving ducks.

We will explore varied habitats including meadows dotted with sagebrush, aspen woodlands, lodge pole pine, and spruce-fir forests. In the lush forests, we hope to find Clark's Nutcracker, Gray Jay, Steller’s Jay, Red-breasted Nuthatch. We’ll go all the way to the northern end of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River and stop to see the impressive Tower Falls. We’ll also travel through Dunraven Pass and enjoy spectacular vistas while watching for Trumpeter Swans, Cinnamon Teal, Elk, and American Bison. During our time here, we will explore the Hayden Valley, visit the famous Norris Geyser Basin, travel through Craig Pass, and cross the Continental Divide. Nights in Yellowstone National Park.

Day 5 & 6 –Old Faithful, West Yellowstone
After a morning check of the birds in the area, we will make our way to the west side of Yellowstone National Park. We will make stops to look for American Dipper, check for a variety of forest birds and watch for Bighorn sheep. We’ll also stop at that ponds attract Western, Clark's and Red-necked Grebe, and Common Loon.

We’ll visit the Upper Geyser Basin, home to more than 70 major geysers - including Old Faithful. We’ll enjoy time to explore the boardwalk trails that wind through the geysers, fumaroles, mud pots, and colorful hot springs and watch the unfailing eruption of Old Faithful, the world’s most famous geyser.

We’ll also spend some time exploring the area just west of the Park where several large shallow lakes provide habitat for Franklin's Gulls, Long-billed Curlew, Caspian Tern, White-faced Ibis, and other species. Sandhill Cranes are common - their loud calls rivaling only that of the Trumpeter Swan. Two nights in West Yellowstone.

Day 7 - Mammoth Terraces
After some morning birding, we visit the famous Mammoth Hot Springs. We’ll take in the many thermal features of Mammoth and check the area around the visitor center for Red-naped Sapsucker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Brewer’s Blackbird, Townsend's Solitaire, and Black-billed Magpie. We’ll check nearby streams for American Dipper and search brushy areas for the beautiful Lazuli Bunting. We’ll also check the rugged cliffs above for grazing Bighorn Sheep.

Later in the day, we will head north through Gardiner Canyon to the famous Roosevelt Arch at the northwest entrance to Yellowstone. Along the way, we will watch for Horned Lark and Mountain Bluebird in the grasslands and White-throated Swift and Red-tailed Hawk in the canyon. Night in Gardiner, Montana.

Day 8, 9, & 10 – Lamar Valley
This morning we head to the remote and beautiful Lamar Valley in northeast Yellowstone. This sprawling area is sometimes called “America's Serengeti” because of the large numbers and varieties of wildlife here. It yields a breathtaking wide-open landscape scattered with ponds and large boulders and is home to herds of Elk, Bison, Mule Deer, and Pronghorn as well as several packs of wolves. We’ll check the Lamar Creek for Barrow’s and Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, and other waterfowl. And we’ll keep an eye to the sky for raptors including Golden Eagle and Red-tailed Hawk.

Since this the central area of the recent reintroduction efforts of the Gray Wolf, it is a prime location to view wildlife and witness the dynamics of predator/prey relationships. We will explore the area in the early mornings and evenings when animal activity is at its peak. From a safe distance, we’ll watch for Grizzly and Black Bear activity and look for Ravens, Coyote, Fox, and Black-billed Magpie as they vie for carcass remains. Our base for the next three nights will be in Cooke City, Montana a small town at the north-east entrance to Yellowstone.

Day 11 – Beartooth Pass to Billings
Today, we will drive the scenic Beartooth Pass enjoying stunning views of the Beartooth and Absaroka Mountain ranges. We’ll search the mountain and alpine habitats for American Pipit, Horned Lark, Northern Goshawk, Yellow-bellied Marmot, and look for area specialties including Black- and Gray-crowned Rosy Finches, Peregrine Falcon, Pine Grosbeak, Cassin’s Finch, and Pine Siskin. We’ll also look for Clark’s Nutcrackers and hopefully see Rocky Mountain Goats.  Later in the day, we’ll reach Billings, Montana. If there is time and daylight, we will explore some local birding sites. Two nights in Billings.

Day 12 – Billings Area – Prairie Birding
Today, we explore the open country north of Billings in search of prairie species including Western Meadowlark, Lark Bunting, Chestnut-collared and McCown’s Longspurs. We’ll visit agricultural areas to look for American Pipit, Horned Lark, Upland Sandpiper, Burrowing Owl, and Black-tailed Prairie Dog. We’ll check riparian areas along creeks and streams for resident songbirds and local ponds and lakes for shore and water birds. We’ll look for open country raptors as well including Golden Eagle, Great Horned Owl, and Prairie Falcon. Night in Billings.

Day 13 – Departure
This morning we’ll make one last check of some local areas for birds. In the afternoon, we’ll depart from Billings International Airport for home.

Leaders:  Gina Nichol and Steve Bird

Montana, Yellowstone, & the Grand Tetons May 30 - June 11, 2009 TOUR PRICE:   $3695.00 per person from Jackson, Wyoming based on double occupancy Deposit:  $500 per person     Single Supplement:  $ 695.00 per person (subject to availability) Maximum Group Size:  12 plus leaders Included in cost:  Includes pick-up at Jackson Airport in Wyoming and drop-off at Billings International Airport in Montana, transportation during the journey, all accommodations, professional guide services, park and other entrance fees. Not included:  Roundtrip airfare to Jackson, Wyoming and from Billings, Montana; meals (some hotels include breakfast); items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone, drinks from the bar; items not specified in the itinerary; porterage or gratuities for porterage or personal services. With fewer than 8 participants, a small-group surcharge (typically $100-300 per participant) will apply. Single supplement is $695.00. Transportation/Travel Planning:   You are responsible for planning your arrival to Jackson, Wyoming and departure from Billings, Montana. Details on meeting times will be sent once bookings are confirmed. RESERVATIONS: To reserve your place on this tour, complete the Registration/Release Form and mail it with a deposit of $500 per person to Sunrise Birding, LLC.  Instructions are on the form.   >Download and print the Registration Form.  Final payment is due by January 30, 2009 and must be paid by check.  If a minimum enrollment is not met, Sunrise Birding, LLC reserves the right to levy a small group surcharge for this trip.  Cancellations and Refunds:  Refunds, less a cancellation fee of $200.00 per person will be made only if Sunrise Birding, LLC is notified in writing of intent to cancel on or before January 30, 2009.  No refunds will be made after January 30, 2009.  All cancellations must be made in writing.  There are no refunds for unused meals, accommodations, or other trip features.  Insurance:  The purchase of trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.  Sunrise Birding, LLC can not accept liability for airline cancellations or delays or penalties incurred by the purchase of non-refundable airline tickets or other expenses incurred by tour participants in preparing for this tour.  Questions? Contact Gina Nichol at gina@sunrisebirding.com  Phone: 203.453.6724

Photo Credits: Grand Tetons, Harlequin Duck, Bison Jam, Yellowstone hot pool, Wolf and Ravens, Black Bear © Gina Nichol.
Great Gray Owl, Green-tailed Towhee, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Rosy-Finch, McCown's Longspur © Steve Bird.